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Big Showdown in the Senate

by BooMan
Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 12:41:29 PM EST

We should have some fireworks in the Senate this afternoon. Or not. It all depends on whether Mitch McConnell succeeds in blocking debate on a non-binding resolution. If he succeeds I guess we won't see many fireworks. But if he fails then it will get very interesting.

The drama is to begin late this afternoon with a procedural vote on whether to move ahead with the debate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) vowed Friday to try to block that, promising to rally his fractious party behind him.
The bipartisan resolution to be offered on the floor states that the Senate disagrees with the president's plan and urges Bush to consider all other options for achieving his strategic goals.
Should resolution supporters clear their first obstacle, the Senate will move to an anticipated long series of votes on amendments. The big ones to watch include a Republican call for the immediate withdrawal of all troops, intended to put Democrats on the spot, and attempts by antiwar Democrats to strike certain provisions, including one opposing the termination of funding for troops in the field.

It is just like Republicans to initiate a vote on immediately withdrawing the troops. I am not a big fan of introducing amendments that you oppose. It's an obnoxious trick. It shows that they are not taking our difficulties in Iraq seriously. They just want to give the President cover to stay the course by getting the Democrats to give bipartisan opposition to an immediate total withdrawal.

I'll be interested to see which Democrats vote for terminating funding 'for troops in the field'. I'm not sure that there will actually be an amendment that specifically calls for that. Should be an entertaining day for C-SPAN watching.

Big Showdown in the Senate | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (4.00 / 2)

I don't think the debate is going to happen. The Republicans will hang together on this until their political dying day. They just cannot let go of the allegiance to the delusional President and the hold that the neocon machine has on them. They don't give a shit about anything but perpetuating this for political gain. At this point our democracy is but a shell of its former self. It is going to take some real leadership and a demonstration of will the likes of which Democrats have not had to display in their lifetime. I hope it can be accomplished but I am pessimistic. Senators, please prove me wrong.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity"

by MikeInOhio on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 01:11:16 PM EST

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (none / 0)

If it does actually get to the floor and the Republicans call for a vote on immediate withdrawal, what would happen if the Dems called their bluff? What if 50 Dems and maybe, just maybe, a Repub or two voted in favor? What would happen then? What would the Repubs do then? Call a do-over because they didn't really mean it? I don't have a clue, just wondering out loud.

Have I ever told you about my poor memory?

by ignorant bystander on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 01:28:56 PM EST

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (4.00 / 2)

If the Dems have grown spines, that's exactly what they'd do. And when the neo con-artists start up the lie machine, they'd point out over and over and over again, every single time, that it was a Republican bill, sponsored by the following Republican senators. So ask them why they don't support the troops. It was their idea.

If the Dems would hang tough and even threaten to make it so we'd see this amendment vanish like Truth in a Republican's mouth.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 01:41:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (none / 1)

Big showdown, more like farce of the highest order..3 weeks of yaking about a non-binding resolution. If they were going to spend so much time on anything to do with Iraq at least make it the fuck important and something that would really have some impact, legally binding impact..like cutting off funding.

This must be what the phrase 'sound and fury signifying nothing' was meant for.

'Poverty is the worst form of violence'--Gandhi

by chocolate ink on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 04:47:18 PM EST

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (none / 0)

Yes and No.

Yes, because it's non-binding, and they need to cut the funds. No because Junior is so unaccustomed to hearing the word "no."

But, I'm basically with you. I am tired of the rethugs, who don't give two shits about military folks or anyone they consider the "help" and who is not rich (unless it's for a vote), with this emotional blackmail of "you don't support the troops." OTOH, I'm sick of some of the people falling for it, as if they don't have brains. This fool ass did everything he could to stay out. If it was too good for him, then just WHAT does that tell you?

Sorry for my little rant, but I'm just tired of this trying to make nice with the bastard. I know that there are those who will turn on them in the media, but that can't be helped. He's killing people and he's bankrupting the country. He asks for billions more for this war AND, btw, he wants his tax cuts to be permanent. All this nicey-nice is for show.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 08:46:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (none / 0)

ratpubs blocked debate

...vote: 49 -47

haven't located vote list

bet my last dollar Lieberman voted against it...

march on the pentagon: 3.17.07

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 07:13:11 PM EST

Re: Big Showdown in the Senate (none / 1)

Well.....if we can't debate Iraq, then we might as well debate something else. But what else to debate.............

I know! IMPEACHMENT

Guess there's only one way to stop this madman's war-mongering.

<<Evil flourishes when good men do nothing.>>

by clueless on Mon Feb 5th, 2007 at 09:07:47 PM EST

Big Showdown in the Senate | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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